Controlling light intensity at a location

ABSTRACT

A mobile device that is configured for wireless communication may be configured to operate as a remote control device in a lighting control system, controlling one or more lighting control devices of the lighting control system. The remote control device may control the light intensity in a space, for instance at a location of the remote control device, in response to an ambient light intensity measured at the remote control device. The remote control device may define a user interface for receiving an input that indicates a desired light intensity at the location. The remote control device may measure the ambient light intensity at the location via a light detector, compare the measured ambient light intensity to the desired light intensity, and cause the one or more lighting control devices to adjust the ambient light intensity at the remote control device until it agrees with the desired light intensity.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/183,111, filed Nov. 7, 2018, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/168,862, filed May 31, 2016, now issued as U.S.Pat. No. 10,143,068 on Nov. 27, 2018, which is a continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 14/574,436, filed Dec. 18, 2014, now issuedas U.S. Pat. No. 9,386,669 on Jul. 5, 2016, which claims priority toU.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/920,787, filed Dec. 26, 2013,all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

BACKGROUND

Interior spaces, for example, rooms in residential or commercialbuildings, are often illuminated by artificial light from one or morelighting loads, such as incandescent or fluorescent lamps, and/or bynatural light, such as sunlight shining through one or more windows. Thetotal light intensity in a space may be measured, for instance using oneor more daylight sensors, such as photosensors, which may allow forautomated adjustment of the light intensity in the space. For example, aload control device may decrease the light intensity of one or morelighting loads as the total light intensity in the space increases,and/or may increase the light intensity of one or more lighting load asthe total light intensity in the space decreases. Daylight sensors aretypically mounted to a ceiling within a space at a prescribed distancefrom one or more windows.

It is often desirable to control the light intensity at the location ofa user (e.g., on a task surface) to a desired light intensity. However,because daylight sensors are typically mounted on the ceiling, anassociated load control device typically applies a gain factor to thelight intensity measured by the daylight sensor before attempting tocontrol the light intensity at the location of the user to the desiredlight intensity.

Typically, a daylight sensor and an associated load control device mustbe calibrated before operation, in order to establish an appropriategain factor to ensure proper operation of the system. Such calibrationmay be undesirably complicated and burdensome to the average user of aload control system. Additionally, if such calibration is not performedcorrectly, the system may not operate properly, which may result in auser's inability to accurately control the light intensity at the user'slocation to a desired light intensity. Examples of calibration methodsfor daylight sensors are described in greater detail incommonly-assigned U.S. Pat. No. 8,410,706, issued Apr. 2, 2013, entitled“Method Of Calibrating A Daylight Sensor,” the entire disclosure ofwhich is incorporated herein by reference.

SUMMARY

As described herein, a remote control device may be configured to adjustthe ambient light intensity in a space, for example at the remotecontrol device. The remote control device may be configured for wirelesscommunication. The remote control device may be, for example, a smartphone, a tablet device, a dedicated remote control device, or the like.The remote control device may be associated with a lighting controlsystem, and may be configured to control one or more lighting controldevices of the lighting control system. For example, the remote controldevice may be configured to transmit control messages to the one or morelighting control devices, for instance via wireless communication.

The remote control device may be configured to measure the intensity ofambient light at the remote control device. For example, the remotecontrol device may include a light detector. The remote control devicemay be configured to determine if an obstruction is blocking the lightdetector.

The remote control device may define a user interface that is configuredto receive inputs, for instance from a user of the remote controldevice. The user interface may include one or more components that areconfigured to receive the user inputs. For example, the user interfacemay include one or more of a touch display that may be configured toexhibit one or more graphical representations of controls, a microphonethat may operate as a component of a voice recognition interface, andone or more mechanical controls that are configured to receive manualinputs.

The user input may indicate, for example, a lighting preset selected bythe user. The lighting preset may be associated with a desired lightintensity. Upon receipt of the user input, the remote control device mayactuate to adjust the ambient light intensity at the remote controldevice until it agrees with the desired light intensity of the lightingpreset.

In order to adjust the ambient light intensity at the remote controldevice, the remote control device may be configured to cause the lightdetector to measure the ambient light intensity at the remote controldevice. The remote control device may compare the measured ambient lightintensity with the desired light intensity. If the measured ambientlight intensity does not agree with the desired light intensity, theremote control device may operate to adjust the ambient light intensityuntil the measured ambient light intensity agrees with the desired lightintensity, for example by transmitting respective control messages tothe one or more lighting control devices of the lighting control system.

The remote control device may be configured to address the controlmessages to the one or more lighting control devices in accordance withthe lighting preset. If no lighting control devices are specified forthe lighting preset, the remote control device may be configured todetermine one or more lighting control devices to control in order toadjust the ambient light intensity, for example based on the location ofthe remote control device. The remote control device may be configuredto adjust the ambient light intensity at the remote control deviceincrementally, until the measured ambient light intensity agrees withthe desired light intensity.

The remote control device may be configured to learn, and may adjust itsoperation, in accordance with how the associated lighting control systemis controlled by one or more users of the remote control device. Theremote control device may be configured to adjust the ambient lightintensity at the remote control device in accordance with a hierarchy oflighting control devices of the associated lighting control system.

The remote control device may be configured to, once the ambient lightintensity at the remote control device agrees with the desired lightintensity, maintain the ambient light intensity at the remote controldevice in accordance with the desired light intensity, for instanceuntil a different lighting preset is selected or until a currentlyselected lighting preset is unselected. The remote control device may beconfigured to allow a lighting preset to follow a user, for instance ifa user moves the remote control device from one location to anotherwithin a space.

The remote control device may be configured to control one or morelighting control devices of the associated lighting control system toadjust the ambient light intensity at the remote control device based onrespective measurements of natural light and artificial light at theremote control device. The remote control device may be configured tocontrol one or more lighting control devices of the associated lightingcontrol system to adjust the ambient light intensity at the remotecontrol device, based on a user configured preference for naturallighting over artificial lighting or for artificial lighting overnatural lighting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a simplified diagram depicting an example lighting controlsystem that includes a first lighting control device, a second lightingcontrol device, and two remote control devices that include respectivelight detectors.

FIG. 2 is a simplified block diagram of an example remote controldevice.

FIG. 3 depicts a flow diagram that illustrates an example process thatmay be executed by a remote control device to control a lighting controldevice of an associated lighting control system.

FIGS. 4A and 4B depict a flow diagram that illustrates another exampleprocess that may be executed by a remote control device to control alighting control device of an associated lighting control system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 depicts an example lighting control system 100 that may beconfigured to control the light intensity in a space, for example at alocation within a space. The lighting control system 100 may be operatedto control one or both of the amount of artificial light in the spaceand the amount of natural light in the space. The artificial light inthe space may include light generated by light sources that are interiorwith respect to the space, for example light generated by one or moreartificial light sources located in the space. Artificial light sourcesmay include, for example, incandescent light bulbs, light emitting diode(LED) light engines, or the like that are mounted in respective lightfixtures (e.g., ceiling-mounted light fixtures, recessed pot lights,wall sconces, screw-in lamps, etc.). The natural light in the space mayinclude light that enters the space from one or more sources that areexterior to the space, such as sunlight, moonlight, and/or light fromone or more artificial light sources (e.g., street lights, exterior homelighting, etc.). In this regard, natural light may include light fromone or more sources of artificial light. The artificial light generatedwithin the space and the natural light that enters the space may, incombination, define an ambient lighting in the space.

The lighting control system 100 may include one or more lighting controldevices. As shown, the lighting control system 100 includes a dimmerswitch 110 (e.g., a load control device) that is configured to controlone or more lighting loads (e.g., sources of artificial light), and amotorized window treatment 130 that is configured to control an amountof natural light that passes through an opening (e.g., a window, adoorway, or the like). In accordance with the illustrated lightingcontrol system 100, the dimmer switch 110 may be referred to as a firstlighting control device of the lighting control system 100, and themotorized window treatment 130 may be referred to as a second lightingcontrol device of the lighting control system 100.

As shown, the illustrated dimmer switch 110 may be coupled in serieselectrical connection between a power source (e.g., analternating-current (AC) power source 112) and an electrical load, forexample a lighting load 114, for controlling the amount of powerdelivered to the lighting load 114, and thus the intensity of thelighting load 114. The illustrated dimmer switch 110 may be configuredto be wall mounted in a standard electrical wallbox. Alternatively, thedimmer switch 110 may be implemented as a table top load control device(not shown). It should be appreciated that the power source is notlimited to an AC power source. For example, the power source mayalternatively be a direct-current (DC) power source.

As shown, the dimmer switch 110 includes a faceplate 116, a toggleactuator 118 (e.g., a button), and an intensity adjustment actuator 120(e.g., a rocker switch). Successive actuations of the toggle actuator118 may toggle, for example turn off and on, the lighting load 114. Theintensity adjustment actuator 120 may define respective upper and lowerportions 120 a, 120 b, that are operable independently of each other.Actuations of the upper portion 120 a or the lower portion 120 b of theintensity adjustment actuator 120 may respectively increase or decreasethe amount of power delivered to the lighting load 114, and thusincrease or decrease the intensity of the lighting load 114 from aminimum intensity (e.g., approximately 1%) to a maximum intensity (e.g.,approximately 100%). The dimmer switch 110 may further include awireless communication circuit (not shown). The wireless communicationcircuit may comprise, for example, a receiver (e.g., an RF receiver) andan antenna that is mounted within the dimmer switch 110. The wirelesscommunication circuit may be configured to receive RF signals 190, forexample. The dimmer switch 110 may further include a plurality of visualindicators 122 (e.g., LEDs) that are arranged in a linear array and maybe configured to illuminate to provide feedback of the intensity of thelighting load 114. An example of a dimmer switch having a toggleactuator and an intensity adjustment actuator is described in greaterdetail in U.S. Pat. No. 5,248,919, issued Sep. 29, 1993, entitled“Lighting Control Device,” the entire disclosure of which isincorporated herein by reference.

The dimmer switch 110 may be configured to be controlled locally, forexample via the toggle actuator 118 and/or the intensity adjustmentactuator 120. The dimmer switch 110 may further be configured to becontrolled remotely, for example via one or more wireless signals, suchas radio-frequency (RF) signals 190 received at the wirelesscommunication circuit of the dimmer switch 110. Wireless signals, suchas RF signals 190, may be transmitted to the dimmer switch 110 from acontrol device (e.g., a remote control device), for example directly viaa wireless communication link. Such a wireless communication link mayuse a proprietary protocol (e.g., the ClearConnect® protocol), astandard protocol (e.g., an 802.11 wireless local area network (LAN)such as a WiFi communication link, a Wi MAX communications link, aZigbee communication link, a Bluetooth® communication link, a near fieldcommunication (NFC) link, a cellular communications link, a televisionwhite space (TVWS) communication link), or any combination thereof.Examples of dimmer switches operable to transmit and receive suchsignals (e.g., digital messages) is described in greater detail in U.S.patent application Ser. No. 12/033,223, filed Feb. 19, 2008, entitled“Communication Protocol For A Radio Frequency Load Control System,” theentire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

The illustrated motorized window treatment 130 includes a coveringmaterial 132 that is configured to hang in front of an opening, such asa window. As shown, the covering material 132 is a cellular shade. Itshould be appreciated, however, that the covering material 132 is notlimited to a cellular shade. For example, the covering material 132 mayalternatively be, for example, a roller shade, a drapery, a Roman shade,a Venetian blind, a Persian blind, a pleated blind, a tensioned rollershade, or any other suitable covering material. The motorized windowtreatment 130 further includes a motor drive unit 134 that is configuredto adjust a position of the covering material 132 relative to theopening, so as to control an amount of natural light that passes throughthe opening. For example, the motor dive unit 134 may be configured tomove the covering material 132 vertically between opened and closedpositions relative to the opening.

The motorized window treatment 130 may be configured to be controlledremotely, for example via one or more wireless signals, such as RFsignals 190 received at the motorized window treatment 130. The motordrive unit 134 of the motorized window treatment 130 may include awireless communication circuit (not shown). The wireless communicationcircuit may comprise, for example, a receiver (e.g., an RF receiver) andan antenna that is mounted to, or that extends from, the motor driveunit 134. The wireless communication circuit may be configured toreceive RF signals 190, for example. Wireless signals, such as RFsignals 190, may be transmitted to the motorized window treatment 130from a control device (e.g., a remote control device), for exampledirectly via a wireless communication link. Such a wirelesscommunication link may use a proprietary protocol (e.g., theClearConnect® protocol), a standard protocol (e.g., an 802.11 wirelesslocal area network (LAN) such as a WiFi communication link, a Wi MAXcommunications link, a Zigbee communication link, a Bluetooth®communication link, a near field communication (NFC) link, a cellularcommunications link, a television white space (TVWS) communicationlink), or any combination thereof. The motor drive unit 134 of themotorized window treatment 130 may be battery powered and/or may receivepower from an external direct-current (DC) power supply. Examples ofbattery-powered motorized window treatments are described in greaterdetail in commonly-assigned U.S. patent application publication no.2012/0261078, published Oct. 18, 2012, entitled “Motorized WindowTreatment,” and in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/798,946, filedMar. 13, 2013, entitled “Battery-Powered Roller Shade System,” theentire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

It should be appreciated that the lighting control system 100 mayinclude multiple motorized window treatments installed relative to aparticular opening. For example, a first motorized window treatment(e.g., the motorized window treatment 130) may be installed in or nearan opening (e.g., a window). The first motorized window treatment mayinclude a covering material (e.g., an adjustable sheer shade) that isconfigured to partially block natural light that enters a space throughthe opening. The lighting control system 100 may further include asecond motorized window treatment (not shown) that is installed in ornear the opening, for instance adjacent to (e.g., behind) the firstmotorized window treatment. The second motorized window treatment mayinclude a covering material (e.g., a black out shade) that is configuredto block substantially all natural light that enters the space throughthe opening. The lighting control system 100 may be configured such thatthe first and second motorized window treatments may be operatedindividually or in tandem (e.g., via positioning of the respectivecovering materials) to control an amount of natural light that entersthe space through the opening. For example, both the first and secondmotorized window treatments may be configured to be controlled remotely,for example by an associated remote control device via one or morewireless signals (e.g., RF signals 190) received at the first and secondmotorized window treatments.

The lighting control system 100 may include one or more remote controldevices 140 that are configured to control (e.g., associated with) thelighting control devices of the lighting control system 100, in order toadjust and/or control the ambient lighting (e.g., the light intensity)in a space. The remote control devices 140 may be portable (e.g., freelymoveable relative to a space, such as a fixed space, where the lightingcontrol system 100 is located), and may be configured to control one ormore lighting control devices of the lighting control system 100, forexample by via transmitting one or more messages (e.g., digitalmessages) via wireless signals, such as RF signals 190. One or moreremote control devices 140 of the lighting control system 100 may beconfigured to be mounted to a wall and/or may be configured to besupported on a pedestal (e.g., a tabletop mounted pedestal).

The one or more remote control devices 140 may be configured to transmitwireless signals (e.g., signals that include messages) directly to oneor more lighting control devices, for example via a wirelesscommunication link. Such a wireless communication link may use aproprietary protocol (e.g., the ClearConnect® protocol), a standardprotocol (e.g., an 802.11 wireless local area network (LAN) such as aWiFi communication link, a Wi MAX communications link, a Zigbeecommunication link, a Bluetooth® communication link, a near fieldcommunication (NFC) link, a cellular communications link, a televisionwhite space (TVWS) communication link), or any combination thereof. Thelighting control system 100 may include a wireless router (not shown)that may be configured to facilitate the configuration and/or operationof the lighting control system 100 (e.g., the transmission of messagesbetween the one or more remote control devices 140 and the lightingcontrol devices), and to provide a connection to the Internet. Examplesof load control systems having WiFi-enabled devices, such as smartphones and tablet devices, are described in greater detail incommonly-assigned U.S. patent application publication no. 2013/0030589,published Jan. 31, 2013, entitled “Load Control Device Having InternetConnectivity,” and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/796,486, filedMar. 12, 2013, entitled “Network Access Coordination Of Load ControlDevices,” the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein byreference.

The messages may include respective commands that cause one or morelighting control devices of the lighting control system 100 to adjustthe intensity of the ambient light in a space, for example the intensityof ambient light near the remote control device 140 that originated themessages. To illustrate, one or more messages transmitted by a remotecontrol device 140 may include a command that causes the dimmer switch110 to adjust an intensity of an associated lighting load (e.g., thelighting load 114) that is controlled by the dimmer switch 110, and/ormay include a command that causes the motorized window treatment 130 toadjust the position of the covering material 132. In this regard, aremote control device 140 may transmit one or more messages that includecommands that adjust the intensity of artificial light that arrives atthe remote control device 140, and/or that adjust the amount of naturallight that arrives at the remote control device 140. A remote controldevice 140 may be configured to download a product control applicationthat may allow the remote control device 140 to control one or morelighting control devices of the lighting control system 100 (e.g., thedimmer switch 110 and/or the motorized window treatment 130).

The remote control devices 140 may be referred to as mobile controldevices of the lighting control system 100. As shown, the lightingcontrol system 100 has two remote control devices 140, including awireless communication device 150 that is configured to operate as aremote control device 140 for the lighting control system 100, and adedicated remote control device 170 that is configured to operate as aremote control device 140 to control the lighting control system 100.

The wireless communication device 150 may include one or more sensorsthat are capable of detecting light, and that may be operated to measurea light intensity at the wireless communication device 150. For example,as shown, the wireless communication device 150 includes a lightdetector 152 (e.g., a photosensitive diode) and a camera 154 (e.g., aforward facing camera located on a surface near a display of thewireless communication device 150). The wireless communication device150 may define a user interface. The user interface may include one ormore components that are configured to receive inputs, such as userinputs received from a user of the wireless communication device 150. Asshown, the wireless communication device 150 may define a user interfacethat includes a visual display, such as a capacitive or resistive touchdisplay 156, that may be configured to exhibit (e.g., display) one ormore graphical representations of controls (e.g., soft buttons), amicrophone 158 that may operate as a component of a voice recognitioninterface, and one or more mechanical controls (e.g., physical buttons160) that are configured to receive manual inputs (e.g., via buttonpresses). It should be appreciated that the wireless communicationdevice 150 is not limited to the illustrated user interface. Forexample, the user interface of the wireless communication device 150 mayalternatively include any combination of one or more displays (e.g.,touch display 156), audio receivers (e.g., microphone 158), mechanicalcontrols (e.g., buttons 160), or the like.

As shown, the wireless communication device 150 is implemented as asmart phone (e.g., an iPhone® smart phone, an Android® smart phone, or aBlackberry® smart phone). However, the wireless communication device 150may alternatively be implemented as any device that is capable ofconfiguration for wireless communication with the lighting controldevices of the lighting control system 100. For example, the wirelesscommunication device 150 may be implemented as any Internet Protocol(IP) enabled device, a personal computer such as a laptop, a tabletdevice (e.g., an iPad® hand-held computing device), a wearable device(e.g., Google Glass™ eyewear, a Fitbit® wristband, an iWatch® timepiece,etc.), a media device that is configured for wireless communication(e.g., an MP3 player, a gaming device, an audio receiver, or a DVD™player, a Blu-Ray™ player, a display monitor such as an HDTV), adedicated remote control device of a media device, a universal orprogrammable remote control, or the like. The wireless communicationdevice 150 may be operable to transmit wireless signals, such as RFsignals 190, to one or more lighting control devices of the lightingcontrol system 100, such as the dimmer switch 110 or the motorizedwindow treatment 130. The signals may include one or more messages(e.g., messages that include lighting control device commands).

The remote control device 170 may include one or more sensors that arecapable of detecting an ambient light level. For example, as shown, theremote control device 170 includes a light detector 172 (e.g., aphotosensitive diode) that may be operated to measure a light intensityat the remote control device 170. The remote control device 170 maydefine a user interface. The user interface may include one or morecomponents that are configured to receive inputs, such as inputsreceived from a user of the remote control device 170. As shown, theremote control device 170 may define a user interface that includes oneor more mechanical controls (e.g., physical buttons) that are configuredto receive manual inputs (e.g., via button presses). The illustratedremote control device 170 includes an on button 174, an off button 176,a raise button 178, a lower button 180, and a preset button 182. Itshould be appreciated that the remote control device 170 is not limitedto the illustrated user interface. For example, the user interface ofthe remote control device 170 may alternatively include any combinationof one or more displays, audio receivers, mechanical controls, or thelike. The remote control device 170 may be battery-powered, or may bepowered by an external power source (e.g., a direct-current (DC) powersupply). The remote control device 170 may be configured to be mountedto a wall and/or may be configured to be supported on a pedestal (e.g.,a tabletop mounted pedestal).

The remote control device 170 may be associated with one or morelighting control devices of the lighting control system 100, such thatthe remote control device 170 may be operated to control the one or morelighting control devices. For example, the remote control device 170 maybe associated with the dimmer switch 110, and may be configured totransmit messages via wireless signals (e.g., RF signals 190) forcontrolling an electrical load (e.g., the lighting load 114) in responseto activations of the buttons 174-182. To illustrate, the remote controldevice 170 may transmit one or more commands (e.g., via messages) thatcause the dimmer switch 110 to turn the lighting load 114 on or off inresponse to operation of the on button 174 or the off button 176,respectively. The remote control device 170 may transmit one or morecommands that cause the dimmer switch 110 to raise or lower theintensity of the lighting load 114 in response to operation of the raisebutton 178 or the lower button 180, respectively. Examples of remotecontrol devices having a plurality of buttons are described in greaterdetail in commonly-assigned U.S. patent application publication no.2012/0286940, published Nov. 12, 2012, entitled “Control Device Having ANightlight,” the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein byreference.

The remote control device 170 may be associated with the motorizedwindow treatment 130, for example in addition to or in place of beingassociated with the dimmer switch 110. The remote control device 170 maybe configured to transmit messages via wireless signals (e.g., RFsignals 190) for controlling a position of the covering material 132 inresponse to activations of the buttons 174-182. To illustrate, theremote control device 170 may be configured to transmit one or morecommands (e.g., via messages) that cause the motorized window treatment130 to raise or lower the covering material 132 in response to operationof the raise button 178 or the lower button 180, respectively.

It should be appreciated that the lighting control system 100 is notlimited to the illustrated remote control devices 140 (e.g., thewireless communication device 150 and the remote control device 170).For example, the lighting control system 100 may include remote controldevices 140 other than the wireless communication device 150 and theremote control device 170, a single remote control device 140, or morethan two remote control devices 140.

In accordance with an example of operation of the lighting controlsystem 100, a user may enter a space in which the lighting controlsystem 100 is installed. The user may activate a control on the wirelesscommunication device 150. The control may be associated with theselection of a predetermined light intensity that the user desires forthe space (e.g., associated with a reading preset). The wirelesscommunication device 150 may measure a light intensity at the wirelesscommunication device 150, for example using the light detector 152. Thewireless communication device 150 may compare the measured lightintensity with the light intensity that is associated with the readingpreset. If the measured light intensity does not match (e.g., within athreshold) the light intensity of the reading preset, the wirelesscommunication device 150 may transmit one or more messages (e.g., via RFsignals 190) to one or both of the dimmer switch 110 and the motorizedwindow treatment 130. The one or more messages may include commands thatcause the dimmer switch 110 to adjust the intensity of the lighting load114, and/or that cause the motorized window treatment 130 to adjust theposition of the covering material 132, such that the light intensity atthe wireless communication device 150 matches the light intensity thatis associated with the reading preset.

It should be appreciated that the reading preset may also be activatedusing the remote control device 170, for example rather than activatingthe reading preset via the wireless communication device 150. Forexample, upon selection of the reading preset, the remote control device170 may measure a light intensity at the remote control device 170, forexample using the light detector 172. The remote control device 170 maycompare the measured light intensity with the light intensity that isassociated with the reading preset. If the measured light intensity doesnot match (e.g., within a threshold) the light intensity of the readingpreset, the remote control device 170 may transmit one or more messages(e.g., via RF signals 190) to one or both of the dimmer switch 110 andthe motorized window treatment 130. The one or more messages may includecommands that cause the dimmer switch 110 to adjust the intensity of thelighting load 114, and/or that cause the motorized window treatment 130to adjust the position of the covering material 132, such that the lightintensity at the remote control device 170 matches the light intensitythat is associated with the reading preset.

FIG. 2 is a simplified block diagram of an example remote control device200 that may be implemented as, for example, the wireless communicationdevice 150 and/or the remote control device 170 of the lighting controlsystem 100 shown in FIG. 1. For example, the remote control device 200may be implemented as one of the remote control devices 140 (e.g., thewireless communication device 150 or the remote control device 170) ofthe lighting control system 100 shown in FIG. 1, to control the dimmerswitch 110 and/or the motorized window treatment 130 to adjust theambient light intensity in a space (e.g., at the remote control device200). The remote control device 200 may be configured to control one ormore lighting control devices of a lighting control system, such as thedimmer switch 110 and/or the motorized window treatment 130 of thelighting control system 100.

As shown, the remote control device 200 may include a control circuit210. The control circuit 210 may include one or more of a processor(e.g., a microprocessor), a microcontroller, a programmable logic device(PLD), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), an application specificintegrated circuit (ASIC), or any suitable processing device.

The remote control device 200 may further include a user interface 212.The user interface 212 may be communicatively coupled to the controlcircuit 210, for example such that receipt of an input (e.g., a userinput) at the user interface 212 may cause the control circuit toactuate, for instance to control one or more lighting control devices ofan associated lighting control system (e.g., the lighting control system100). The user interface 212 may include, for example, one or moredisplays, audio receivers, mechanical controls, or the like (e.g., thetouch display 156, microphone 158, and buttons 160 of the wirelesscommunication device 150, and/or the buttons 174-182 of the remotecontrol device 170. If the user interface 212 comprises a capacitive orresistive touch display, the control circuit 210 may cause one or moregraphical representations of controls (e.g., soft buttons) and/or otherinformation related to an associated lighting control system (e.g., thelighting control system 100) to be exhibited on the touch display.

The remote control device 200 may further include a wirelesscommunication circuit 214. The wireless communication circuit 214 mayinclude a transmitter coupled to an antenna for transmitting signals(e.g., an RF transmitter that is configured to transmit RF signals 190).Alternatively, the wireless communication circuit 214 may include an RFreceiver for receiving RF signals, an RF transceiver for transmittingand receiving RF signals, or an infrared (IR) transmitter and/orreceiver for transmitting and/or receiving IR signals. The controlcircuit 210 may be communicatively coupled to the wireless communicationcircuit 214, for example such that the control circuit 210 may cause thewireless communication circuit 214 to transmit one or more messages viaRF signals.

The remote control device 200 may further include a light detectioncircuit 216. The light detection circuit 216 may comprise, for example,a light detector (not shown). The light detector may comprise aphotosensitive circuit including, for example, a photosensitive diodeconfigured to measure an intensity of light (e.g., ambient light) at theremote control device 200. The light detection circuit 216 may becommunicatively coupled to the control circuit 210, for example suchthat the control circuit 210 may cause the light detection circuit 216to make one or more measurements of an intensity of light at the remotecontrol device 200. Alternatively, the light detection circuit 216 maybe integral with the control circuit 210 (e.g., integrated within amicrochip).

The remote control device 200 may further include a memory 220. Thememory 220 may be communicatively coupled to the control circuit 210,and may operate to store information such as one or more lightingpresets and/or one or more associated preset light intensities, and/orcomputer-executable instructions (e.g., a product control applicationthat may be executed by the control circuit 210). The control circuit210 may be configured to store and/or retrieve such information from thememory 220. The memory 220 may include any component suitable forstoring such information. For example, the memory 220 may include one ormore components of volatile and/or non-volatile memory, in anycombination. The memory 220 may be internal and/or external with respectto the control circuit 210. For example, the memory 220 may beimplemented as an external integrated circuit (IC), or as an internalcircuit of the control circuit 210 (e.g., integrated within amicrochip).

The remote control device 200 may optionally include a locator circuit222. The locator circuit 222 may be configured to determine a locationof the remote control device 200. For example, the locator circuit 222may be configured determine a location of the remote control device 200within a space, may be configured to determine a proximity of the remotecontrol device 200 relative to one or more sources of artificial and/ornatural light, or the like. The locator circuit 222 may becommunicatively coupled to the control circuit 210, for example suchthat the control circuit 210 may cause the locator circuit 222 to makeone or more location determinations that pertain to the remote controldevice 200. The locator circuit 222 may include, for example, a globalpositioning system (GPS) receiver or the like.

The control circuit 210 may be configured to determine the location ofthe remote control device 200 in an alternative manner, for example inaddition to or in lieu of using the locator circuit 222 (e.g., in aconfiguration where the locator circuit 222 is omitted from the remotecontrol device 200). For example, the control circuit 210 may beconfigured to employ the wireless communication circuit 214 to determinethe location of the remote control device 200 (e.g., using respectivereceived signal strengths from one or more wireless devices having knownlocations), may be configured to employ the light detector of the lightdetection circuit 216 to receive one or more messages via visible lightcommunication (VLC) from one or more lighting fixtures in a space wherethe remote control device 200 is located, or may be configured to employother suitable localization techniques, in any combination.

The remote control device 200 may further include a battery 224 thatproduces a battery voltage VBATT for powering the control circuit 210,the wireless communication circuit 214, the light detection circuit 216,the memory 220, the locator circuit 222, and/or other low voltagecircuitry of the remote control device 200. The remote control device200 may be further configured to derive power from one or morealternative sources, for example from one or more photovoltaic cells(e.g., solar cells) that are electrically connected to the remotecontrol device 200, and/or a DC power supply (e.g., that is plugged intoan AC outlet) to which the remote control device 200 may be wired. Suchalternative sources of power may supplement, or may replace, thederivation of power from the battery 224.

It should be appreciated that the remote control device 200 is notlimited to the illustrated components. It should further be appreciatedthat the components of the illustrated components may be implemented inany combination of hardware and/or software. For example, the remotecontrol device 200 may be implemented with dedicated circuitry thatcorresponds to the illustrated components. In another example, theremote control device 200 (e.g., including the illustrated components)may be implemented as a software program (e.g., an app) on amulti-purpose electronic device such as a smart phone or other device),or the like.

In an example of operation of the remote control device 200, an inputmay be received at the user interface 212 (e.g., an activation of a softbutton exhibited on the touch display 156, a voice command received atthe microphone 158, or the operation of one or more of the buttons 160of the wireless communication device 150, or may include the operationof one or more of the buttons 174-182 of the remote control device 170).The input may be indicative of a lighting preset (e.g., indicative of auser selection of a desired lighting preset and/or a desired lightintensity), for example.

The control circuit 210 may be configured to, in response to receipt ofthe input, cause the light detection circuit 216 to perform ameasurement of an intensity of ambient light at the remote controldevice 200. The light detection circuit 216 may be configured to measurethe light intensity at the remote control device 200 using the lightdetector (e.g., the light detector 152 of the wireless communicationdevice 150 or the light detector 172 of the remote control device 170),for example by sampling the output of the light detector. Examples ofcircuits for measuring the light intensity in a space are described ingreater detail in commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. No. 8,451,116, issued May28, 2013, entitled “Wireless Battery Powered Daylight Sensor,” theentire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

The light detection circuit 216 may further be configured to measure thelight intensity at the remote control device 200 using a camera, forexample in addition to or in lieu of measuring the light intensity atthe remote control device 200 using the light detector. For example, theremote control device 200 may further include a camera (not shown). Thecontrol circuit 210 may cause the remote control device 200 to take apicture with the camera, and may determine the measured ambient lightintensity at the remote control device 200 using the picture, forexample by calculating the luminance of one or more pixels of thepicture. The light detection circuit 216 may further be configured tomeasure the light intensity at the remote control device 200 using aphotosensitive circuit, for example in addition to or in lieu ofmeasuring the light intensity at the remote control device 200 using thelight detector. For example, the remote control device 200 may furtherinclude a photosensitive circuit (not shown). The control circuit 210may sample an output of the photosensitive circuit. The remote controldevice 200 may be further configured to be responsive to a lightdetector that is external to the remote control device 200. For example,an external light detector may be configured to be plugged into an audioheadphone jack or a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port on the remotecontrol device 200, so as to communicatively couple the external lightdetector to the control circuit 210 and/or to provide power to theexternal light detector. Alternatively, an external light detector maybe battery-powered, and operable to communicate with the remote controldevice 200 via wireless communication, for example using Near FieldCommunication (NFC), Bluetooth technology, or the like.

The control circuit 210 may be further configured to, in response toreceipt of the input, retrieve from the memory 220 information relatedto the input (e.g., the selected lighting preset). Such information mayinclude, for example, a desired light intensity, an acceptabledifference threshold (e.g., variation) between ambient light intensityat the remote control device 200 and the desired light intensity thatmay be acceptable to a user of the remote control device 200, or thelike. One or more lighting presets may be stored in the memory 220. Alighting preset may be associated with a predetermined (e.g., userdesired) light intensity at the remote control device 200. Toillustrate, a reading preset may be stored in the memory 220, forexample by a user. The reading preset may be associated with aparticular desired light intensity at the remote control device 200. Auser may select the reading preset via the user interface 212 of theremote control device 200, for example by activating a soft button on adisplay, by speaking a predetermined voice command into a microphone, bypressing a physical button, and/or by providing another input to theuser interface 212 that is recognized by the remote control device 200and that is associated with the reading preset.

One or more lighting presets (e.g., a reading preset) may be configuredby a user of the remote control device 200, and stored in the memory220. For example, a user may operate the remote control device 200 tocontrol one or more lighting control devices of an associated lightingcontrol system (e.g., the lighting control system 100) to adjust theambient light intensity at the remote control device 200 (e.g., at alocation within a space) to a light intensity that is desirable forreading. The user may then activate a save function (e.g., via a softbutton) of the remote control device 200 while the remote control device200 is positioned at a location where the user desires to read. Inresponse to activation of the save function, the control circuit 210 maycause the light detection circuit 216 to measure the ambient lightintensity at the remote control device 200 (e.g., using the lightdetector), and may store the measured ambient light intensity in thememory 220 as a reading preset. Other example lighting presets mayinclude, for example, one or more of a television preset for setting theambient light intensity to a desired intensity for watching television,and a desk work preset for setting the ambient light intensity to adesired intensity for performing paper work on a task surface.

The remote control device 200 may store a plurality of lighting presets,for example in the memory 220. The plurality of lighting presets may beassociated with a particular user, or may be associated with a number ofdifferent users. The remote control device 200 may be configured torecognize which user is operating the remote control device 200, and maydisplay particular lighting presets (e.g., on the touch display 156)based on a user that is currently using the remote control device 200.For example, a current user may be authenticated to the remote controldevice 200 (e.g., via credentials), the remote control device 200 may beconfigured to perform facial or voice recognition of the current user,the remote control device 200 may be configured to perform biometricrecognition of the current user (e.g., via a fingerprint reader), or thelike.

The control circuit 210 may be further configured to, upon retrievingthe information related to the input, compare the measured ambient lightintensity with the desired light intensity indicated by the input, inaccordance with the information. The measured ambient light intensitymay agree with the desired light intensity, for example, if a differencebetween the measured ambient light intensity and the desired lightintensity falls within the difference threshold. The measured ambientlight intensity may disagree with the desired light intensity, forexample, if a difference between the measured ambient light intensityand the desired light intensity falls outside the difference threshold.

If the measured ambient light intensity disagrees with the desired lightintensity, the control circuit 210 may cause the ambient light intensityat the remote control device 200 to be adjusted in accordance with thedesired light intensity. For example, the control circuit 210 may causethe ambient light intensity at the remote control device 200 to beadjusted by transmitting one or more messages, via the wirelesscommunication circuit 214, to one or more lighting control devices of anassociated lighting control system. The one or more messages may includerespective commands for the one or more lighting control devices toadjust the light intensity at the remote control device 200, such thatthe light intensity at the remote control device 200 agrees with thedesired light intensity that is associated with the lighting presetindicated by the input. Alternatively, the one or more messages mayinclude the measured ambient light intensity, and the one or morelighting control devices may be configured to adjust the ambient lightintensity at the remote control device 200 in response to receiving theone or more messages. Alternatively still, the control circuit 210 maytransmit one or more messages that include the measured ambient lightintensity, via the wireless communication circuit 214, to a gatewaydevice (not shown), such as a bridge device. Such a gateway device maybe configured to act as a central controller of an associated lightingcontrol system (e.g., by controlling one or more lighting controldevices of the lighting control system), and/or may be configured torelay wireless communication messages between by devices of the lightingcontrol system. In an example configuration, such a central controllermay monitor for messages from the remote control device 200. Uponreceiving one or more messages from the remote control device 200 thatinclude the measured ambient light intensity, the central controller maygenerate and transmit commands to respective lighting control devices ofthe lighting control system. The central controller may be configured toreceive one or more messages from the remote control device via a firstwireless communication protocol, and may distribute commands to one ormore lighting control devices of the lighting control system via one ormore different wireless communication protocols.

The remote control device 200 may be configured to address thetransmitted messages to one or more lighting control devices inaccordance with the lighting preset. For example, a lighting preset maybe associated with the adjustment of one or more specific (e.g., userspecified) lighting control devices of an associated lighting controlsystem (e.g., the lighting control system 100). For example, a lightingpreset may be associated with one or more lighting control devices thatare configured to control respective sources of artificial light, may beassociated with one or more lighting control devices that are configuredto control an amount of natural light that reaches the remote controldevice 200, or may be associated with a mix of particular lightingcontrol devices that are configured to control respective sources ofartificial light and particular lighting control devices that areconfigured to control an amount of natural light that reaches the remotecontrol device 200. Such lighting control device associations may bespecified by a user of the remote control device 200, for example whencreating the lighting preset.

The control circuit 210 may be configured to cause the wirelesscommunication circuit 214 to address one or more messages (e.g.,including commands) to the one or more lighting control devicesspecified in the lighting preset. The control circuit 210 may be furtherconfigured to cause the wireless communication circuit 214 to broadcastone or more messages comprising commands, for example without addressingrespective messages to one or more specific lighting control devices. Ifone or more lighting control devices that receive such broadcasts areaware of the selected lighting preset (e.g., have the lighting presetstored in memory), those one or more lighting control devices mayrespond to receipt of the one or more broadcasted messages (e.g., byadjusting respective lighting loads, covering materials, etc. inaccordance with the lighting preset).

If no lighting control devices are specified for the lighting preset,the remote control device 200 may be configured to determine one or morelighting control devices to control via the one or more messages, inorder to adjust the ambient light intensity at the remote control device200. For example, the control circuit 210 may cause the locator circuit222 to determine information related to a current location of the remotecontrol device 200. The remote control device 200 may use the locationinformation to determine one or more sources of artificial and/ornatural light that are within a predetermined proximity of the currentlocation of the remote control device 200 and that are controllable byrespective lighting control devices of an associated lighting controlsystem (e.g., the lighting control system 100). The control circuit 210may cause the wireless communication circuit 214 to address one or moremessages (e.g., including commands) to one or more lighting controldevices that are configured to control sources of artificial and/ornatural light that are within the proximity of the current location ofthe remote control device 200.

The remote control device 200 may be configured to adjust the ambientlight intensity at the remote control device 200 incrementally, untilthe measured ambient light intensity agrees with the desired lightintensity. For example, the control circuit 210 may be configured to,upon determining that the measured ambient light intensity at the remotecontrol device 200 does not agree with the desired light intensity,cause the wireless communication circuit 214 to transmit respectivefirst messages including commands to one or more lighting controldevices of an associated lighting control system. The first commandmessages may control the one or more lighting control devices to adjustthe ambient light intensity in accordance with an increment of lightintensity. The increment of light intensity may be predetermined (e.g.,specified in the lighting preset), may be based on the measured ambientlight intensity, or may be otherwise determined. The control circuit 210may be configured to wait a predetermined interval of time aftertransmitting the first command messages, and after expiration of theinterval of time, to cause the light detection circuit 216 to perform ameasurement of the adjusted ambient light intensity at the remotecontrol device 200.

If the adjusted ambient light intensity at the remote control device 200does not agree with the desired light intensity, the control circuit 210may cause the wireless communication circuit 214 to transmit respectivesecond messages including commands to the one or more lighting controldevices of an associated lighting control system. The second commandmessages may control the one or more lighting control devices to adjustthe ambient light intensity in accordance with the increment of lightintensity. The control circuit 210 may be configured to again wait thepredetermined interval of time, and after expiration of the interval oftime, to cause the light detection circuit 216 to again perform ameasurement of the adjusted ambient light intensity at the remotecontrol device 200.

The control circuit 210 may be configured to repeat the above-describedprocess until the adjusted ambient light intensity at the remote controldevice 200 agrees with the desired light intensity. When the measuredambient light intensity at the remote control device 200 agrees with thedesired light intensity, the remote control device 200 may stoptransmitting command messages to the one or more lighting controldevices of the associated lighting control system. The control circuit210 may be configured to indicate that the desired light intensityassociated with the lighting preset has been reached, for example byexhibiting an indication on a display of the remote control device 200(e.g., the touch display 156).

Alternatively, the remote control device 200 may be configured to causeone or more lighting control devices of an associated lighting controlsystem to individually adjust corresponding sources of artificial and/ornatural light incrementally, until the measured ambient light intensityagrees with the desired light intensity. For example, the controlcircuit 210 may be configured to cause the wireless communicationcircuit 214 to transmit respective messages including commands to theone or more lighting control devices, that cause the one or morelighting control devices to incrementally adjust the ambient lightintensity at the remote control device 200 until the adjusted ambientlight intensity agrees with the desired light intensity. The controlcircuit 210 may be further configured to cause the wirelesscommunication circuit 214 to transmit respective messages includingcommands to the one or more lighting control devices, that cause the oneor more lighting control devices to stop incrementally adjusting theambient light intensity at the remote control device 200, for instancewhen the adjusted ambient light intensity agrees with the desired lightintensity.

The remote control device 200 may be configured to learn (e.g., toadjust operation) in accordance with how an associated lighting controlsystem is controlled by one or more users of the remote control device200 (e.g., based on previous selections of lighting presets). Forexample, if a particular lighting preset (e.g., a reading preset) isconsistently selected at approximately the same time each day, and ifthe ambient light intensity measured by the light detection circuit 216does not vary substantially from day to day at the time when the readingpreset is selected, the control circuit 210 may be configured (e.g.,reconfigured) to cause the wireless communication circuit 214 totransmit respective messages including commands to one or more lightingcontrol devices of the lighting control system, that cause the one ormore lighting control devices to adjust the ambient light intensity atthe remote control device 200 toward the desired light intensity morequickly (e.g., using larger increments of light intensity or a singleincrement of light intensity). For instance, if a difference between aninitial ambient light intensity measured by the light detection circuit216 and the desired light intensity is consistently large, the controlcircuit 210 may be configured (e.g., reconfigured) to cause the wirelesscommunication circuit 214 to transmit respective messages includingcommands to one or more lighting control devices of the lighting controlsystem, that cause the one or more lighting control devices to adjustthe ambient light intensity at the remote control device 200 by a largerfirst increment, so as to adjust the ambient light intensity at theremote control device 200 toward the desired light intensity morequickly.

The remote control device 200 may be configured to adjust the ambientlight intensity at the remote control device 200 so as to maximize anamount of natural light that arrives at the remote control device 200(e.g., to maximize the natural light in a space where the remote controldevice 200 is located). For example, the control circuit 210 may beconfigured to cause the ambient light intensity at the remote controldevice 200 to first be adjusted via the one or more lighting controldevices that control an amount of natural light that arrives at theremote control device 200, before being adjusted via the one or morelighting control devices that control corresponding sources ofartificial light. Alternatively, the remote control device 200 may beconfigured to adjust the ambient light intensity at the remote controldevice 200 so as to maximize an amount of artificial light at the remotecontrol device 200 (e.g., to maximize the artificial light in a spacewhere the remote control device 200 is located). The remote controldevice 200 may perform such maximization of natural or artificial light,for example, responsive to the activation of a user-selectablepreference setting made available on the remote control device 200(e.g., via an application that executes on the remote control device200).

In an illustrative example of adjusting ambient light intensity tomaximize natural light, the remote control device 200 may be associatedwith the lighting control system 100 shown in FIG. 1. If the remotecontrol device 200 is actuated to increase the amount of ambient lightat the remote control device 200 in accordance with maximizing naturallight at the remote control device 200, the control circuit 210 maycause the wireless communication circuit 214 to transmit a first commandmessage to the motorized window treatment 130 that causes the motorizedwindow treatment 130 to adjust the ambient light intensity at the remotecontrol device 200 by raising the covering material 132 until theadjusted ambient light intensity agrees with the desired lightintensity, or until an adjustment limit of the motorized windowtreatment 130 is reached (e.g., until the covering material reaches anopen limit stop). If an adjustment limit of the motorized windowtreatment 130 is reached, the control circuit 210 may cause the wirelesscommunication circuit 214 to transmit a second command message to thedimmer switch 110 to further adjust the ambient light intensity at theremote control device 200 by raising the intensity of the lighting load114 until the adjusted ambient light intensity agrees with the desiredlight intensity, or until an adjustment limit of the dimmer switch 110is reached (e.g., until the lighting load 114 reaches maximumintensity).

If the remote control device 200 is actuated to decrease the amount ofambient light at the remote control device 200 in accordance withmaximizing natural light at the remote control device 200, the controlcircuit 210 may first cause the dimmer circuit 110 to decrease theintensity of the lighting load 114 (e.g., until the adjusted ambientlight intensity agrees with the desired light intensity or until thelighting load 114 turns off or reaches minimum intensity), and may thencause the motorized window treatment 130 to lower the covering material132 to further adjust the ambient light intensity at the remote controldevice 200. If the remote control device 200 is actuated to increase theamount of ambient light at the remote control device 200 in accordancewith maximizing artificial light at the remote control device 200, thecontrol circuit 210 may first cause the dimmer circuit 110 to increasethe intensity of the lighting load 114 (e.g., until the adjusted ambientlight intensity agrees with the desired light intensity or until thelighting load 114 reaches maximum intensity), and may then cause themotorized window treatment 130 to raise the covering material 132 tofurther adjust the ambient light intensity at the remote control device200. If the remote control device 200 is actuated to decrease the amountof ambient light at the remote control device 200 in accordance withmaximizing artificial light at the remote control device 200, thecontrol circuit 210 may first cause the motorized window treatment 130to lower the covering material 132 (e.g., until the adjusted ambientlight intensity agrees with the desired light intensity or until thecovering material 132 reaches a closed limit stop), and may then causethe dimmer circuit 110 to decrease the intensity of the lighting load114 to further adjust the ambient light intensity at the remote controldevice 200.

The remote control device 200 may be configured to adjust the ambientlight intensity at the remote control device 200 in accordance with ahierarchy of lighting control devices of an associated lighting controlsystem. In such a hierarchy, lighting control devices may be ranked inan order of preferred operation, such that lighting control devices ofhigher rank are operated before those of lower rank to adjust theambient light intensity at the remote control device 200. A lightingcontrol device hierarchy may be configured, for example, by a user ofthe remote control device 200 (e.g., via an application that executes onthe remote control device 200). In an example hierarchy, one or morelighting control devices that control sources of artificial light may beranked higher than one or more lighting control devices that control anamount of natural light that arrives at the remote control device 200.In accordance with such an example hierarchy, the control circuit 210may be configured to cause the ambient light intensity at the remotecontrol device 200 to first be adjusted via one or more lighting controldevices that control corresponding sources of artificial light, beforebeing adjusted via one or more lighting control devices that control anamount of natural light that arrives at the remote control device 200.In accordance with another example hierarchy, the control circuit 210may be configured to cause the ambient light intensity at the remotecontrol device 200 to first be adjusted via one or more lighting controldevices that control an amount of natural light that arrives at theremote control device 200, before being adjusted via one or morelighting control devices that control corresponding sources ofartificial light. It should be appreciated that lighting control devicehierarchies are not limited to rankings based on the type of lightcontrolled. For example, a lighting control device hierarchy may includelighting control device groups having different ranks, with one or moregroups of the hierarchy including a mix of lighting control devices thatcontrol different types of light.

In an illustrative example of hierarchical ambient light intensityadjustment, the remote control device 200 may be associated with thelighting control system 100 shown in FIG. 1, and the lighting controlsystem 100 may define a hierarchy in which the dimmer switch 110 isranked higher than the motorized window treatment 130. Upon actuation,the control circuit 210 may be configured to cause the wirelesscommunication circuit 214 to transmit a first command message to thehigher-ranked dimmer switch 110 that causes the dimmer switch 110 toadjust the ambient light intensity at the remote control device 200(e.g., by increasing or decreasing the intensity of the lighting load114) until the adjusted ambient light intensity agrees with the desiredlight intensity, or until an adjustment limit of the dimmer switch 110is reached (e.g., until the lighting load 114 is turned off or reachesmaximum intensity). The control circuit 210 may be configured to, if theadjustment limit of the dimmer switch 110 is reached, cause the wirelesscommunication circuit 214 to transmit a second command message to a thelower-ranked motorized window treatment 130, to further adjust theambient light intensity at the remote control device 200 (e.g., byraising or lowering the covering material 132) until the adjustedambient light intensity agrees with the desired light intensity, oruntil an adjustment limit of the motorized window treatment 130 isreached (e.g., until the covering material 132 reaches the opened orclosed positions). It should be appreciated that remote control device200 is not limited to the above-described example lighting controldevice hierarchy. For example, the hierarchy of lighting control devicesmay alternatively be defined such that the motorized window treatment130 is ranked higher than the dimmer switch 110 within the hierarchy.

The remote control device 200 may be configured to, once the ambientlight intensity at the remote control device 200 agrees with the desiredlight intensity, maintain the ambient light intensity at the remotecontrol device 200 in accordance with the desired light intensity, forinstance until a different lighting preset is selected, until acurrently selected lighting preset is unselected, until the remotecontrol device 200 is moved to another location (e.g., as determined bythe locator circuit 222), or the like. The ambient light intensity in aspace may change over time after the ambient light intensity at theremote control device 200 has been adjusted to agree with the desiredlight intensity. For example, the intensity of natural light in thespace may change (e.g., with the rising or setting of the sun). This maycause the ambient light intensity at the remote control device 200 tofall out of agreement with the desired light intensity.

In order to maintain agreement between the ambient light intensity atthe remote control device 200 and the desired light intensity, thecontrol circuit 210 may be configured to, once the ambient lightintensity at the remote control device 200 agrees with the desired lightintensity, cause the light detection circuit 216 to periodically measurethe ambient light intensity at the remote control device 200, and tocompare each periodic ambient light intensity measurement to the desiredlight intensity. The control circuit 210 may be further configured to,if a periodic measurement of the ambient light intensity at the remotecontrol device 200 disagrees with the desired light intensity, cause thewireless communication circuit 214 to transmit respective controlmessages to one or more lighting control devices to adjust the ambientlight intensity until the ambient light intensity again agrees with thedesired light intensity. To illustrate, the remote control device 200may be configured to, when placed on a task surface, maintain a desiredlight intensity associated with the task surface while the remotecontrol device 200 is located on the task surface.

The remote control device 200 may be configured to adjust the ambientlight intensity at the remote control device 200 in accordance with aselected lighting preset if a user of the remote control device 200moves the remote control device 200 from one location to another (e.g.,within a space). In this regard, the remote control device 200 and anassociated lighting control system (e.g., the lighting control system100) may allow a lighting preset to follow a user. To illustrate, a usermay be located in a first location (e.g., a first room in a home), andmay select a lighting preset using the remote control device 200. Uponactuation, the control circuit 210 may cause the ambient light intensityat the first location of the remote control device 200 to be adjusteduntil the ambient light intensity at the remote control device 200agrees with a desired light intensity associated with the lightingpreset, for example as described herein. The control circuit 210 maystore an ambient light intensity measurement (e.g., an initialmeasurement taken when the lighting preset is selected) in the memory220. If the user subsequently moves to a second location (e.g., a secondroom in the home), taking the remote control device 200 along, thecontrol circuit 210 may, upon arriving at the second location, cause theambient light intensity at second location of the remote control device200 to be adjusted until the ambient light intensity at the remotecontrol device 200 agrees with a desired light intensity associated withthe lighting preset, for example as described herein.

The control circuit 210 may further be configured to retrieve theinitial ambient light intensity measurement from the first location ofthe remote control device 200, and may adjust the ambient lightingconditions at the first location to agree with the initial ambient lightintensity measurement taken at the first location, for example bycontrolling one or more lighting control devices at the first locationto revert to settings that were active prior to selection of thelighting preset at the first location, and/or via collaboration betweenthe remote control device 200 and one or more components of anassociated lighting control system, such as a second remote controldevice 200 that is located at the first location. In this regard, theremote control device 200 may be configured restore ambient lightingconditions at a location after the remote control device 200 has beenmoved from the location, and the selected lighting preset is no longerdesired at the location.

The remote control device 200 may be configured to determine if anobstruction is blocking the light detector of the light detectioncircuit 216. The light detector may be blocked, for instance, by anobject that is placed on the remote control device 200. The remotecontrol device 200 may optionally include a camera 226. The camera 226may, for example, be oriented to face substantially the same directionas the light detector. In an example of obstruction detection, thecontrol circuit 210 may be configured to, when a lighting preset isselected, for example responsive to an input received at the userinterface 212, cause the camera 226 to take a picture. The picture mayrepresent an unobstructed state of the light detector, and may be storedin the memory 220. The control circuit 210 may be configured tosubsequently cause the camera 226 to take one or more additionalpictures (e.g., in accordance with predetermined intervals of time), andmay compare the one or more subsequent pictures with the picture storedin the memory 220. If, based on such a comparison, the control circuit210 identifies a substantial difference between a subsequent picture andthe picture in the memory 220, the control circuit 210 may determinethat an obstruction is blocking the light detector, and may ceaseadjusting the ambient light intensity at the remote control device 200(e.g., by not causing the wireless communication circuit 214 to sendcontrol messages to one or more lighting control devices of anassociated lighting control system).

In another example of obstruction detection, the control circuit 210 maybe alternatively configured, or further configured, to determine that anobstruction is blocking the light detector if, for example, after thecontrol circuit 210 causes the wireless communication circuit 214 totransmit a predetermined number of control messages to one or morelighting control devices of an associated lighting control system,subsequent corresponding measurements by the light detection circuit 216(e.g., by the light detector), indicate that the ambient light intensityat the remote control device 200 is remaining substantially constant. Ifthe ambient light intensity at the remote control device 200 so remainsconstant, the control circuit 210 may determine that an obstruction isblocking the light detector, and may cease adjusting the ambient lightintensity at the remote control device 200 (e.g., by not causing thewireless communication circuit 214 to send control messages to one ormore lighting control devices of an associated lighting control system).

The remote control device 200 may optionally include a proximity sensor,such as a passive infrared detector 228. In still another example ofobstruction detection, the control circuit 210 may be alternativelyconfigured to, or further configured to, when a lighting preset isselected (e.g., responsive to an input received at the user interface212), capture an output of the passive infrared detector 228 (e.g., anoutput corresponding to one or more infrared light measurements made bythe passive infrared detector 228). Such an infrared light measurementmay represent an unobstructed state of the light detector, and may bereferred to as an unobstructed measurement. The control circuit 210 maycause the unobstructed measurement to be stored in the memory 220. Thecontrol circuit 210 may be configured to subsequently capture additionalmeasurement s from the passive infrared detector 228 (e.g., inaccordance with predetermined intervals of time), and may compare theadditional measurements with the unobstructed measurement. If, based onsuch a comparison, the control circuit 210 identifies a substantialdifference between a subsequent measurement and the unobstructedmeasurement, the control circuit 210 may determine that an obstructionis blocking the light detector, and may cease adjusting the ambientlight intensity at the remote control device 200 (e.g., by not causingthe wireless communication circuit 214 to send control messages to oneor more lighting control devices of an associated lighting controlsystem). Additionally, the control circuit 210 may be further configuredto cease adjusting the ambient light intensity at the remote controldevice 200 if a measurement from the passive infrared detector 228indicates that a user of the remote control device 200 is holding theremote control device 200 close to the user's body (e.g., next to theuser's head).

The remote control device 200 may be configured to adjust the ambientlight intensity at the remote control device 200 in accordance withrespective amounts of natural light and artificial light at the remotecontrol device 200 (e.g., in a space where the remote control device 200is located). For example, the control circuit 210 may be configured tocause the light detection circuit 216 to separately measure therespective intensities of artificial light and natural light at theremote control device 200. The control circuit 210 may be configured tocause the light detection circuit 216 to detect whether the artificiallight intensity is greater than the natural light intensity at theremote control device 200, or whether the natural light intensity isgreater than the artificial light intensity at the remote control device200. For example, the control circuit 210 may be configured to analyzethe spectrum (e.g., the spectral content) of the ambient light detectedby the light detector of the remote control device 200, to determinewhich of the artificial light intensity or the natural light intensityis greater in a space, and in particular at the remote control device200.

The remote control device 200 may be configured to control one or morelighting control devices of an associated lighting control system (e.g.,the lighting control system 100) to adjust the ambient light intensityat the remote control device 200 based on the respective measurements ofnatural light and artificial light at the remote control device 200. Forexample, if the measured natural light intensity is greater than themeasured artificial light intensity at the remote control device 200,the remote control device 200 may control one or more lighting controldevices that are associated with the natural light (e.g., the motorizedwindow treatment 130) before controlling one or more lighting controldevices that are associated with the artificial light (e.g., the dimmerswitch 110), to adjust the ambient light intensity at the remote controldevice 200. In another example, if the measured artificial lightintensity is greater than the measured natural light intensity at theremote control device 200, the remote control device 200 may control oneor more lighting control devices that are associated with the artificiallight (e.g., the dimmer switch 110) before controlling one or morelighting control devices that are associated with the natural light(e.g., the motorized window treatment 130), to adjust the ambient lightintensity at the remote control device 200. In this regard, the remotecontrol device 200 may be configured to control one or more lightingcontrol devices of an associated lighting control system (e.g., thelighting control system 100), in order to adjust a ratio of artificiallight to natural light within a space (e.g., at the remote controldevice 200).

The remote control device 200 may be configured to control one or morelighting control devices of an associated lighting control system (e.g.,the lighting control system 100) to adjust the ambient light intensityat the remote control device 200 based on a predetermined priority(e.g., a user configured preference) for natural lighting overartificial lighting or for artificial lighting over natural lighting.For example, if a lighting preset (e.g., a preset light intensity)prioritizes natural light over artificial light, the remote controldevice 200 may control one or more lighting control devices that areassociated with the natural light (e.g., the motorized window treatment130) before controlling one or more lighting control devices that areassociated with the artificial light (e.g., the dimmer switch 110), toadjust the ambient light intensity at the remote control device 200.This may, for example, maximize daylight that enters a space. In anotherexample, if a lighting preset (e.g., a preset light intensity)prioritizes artificial light over natural light, the remote controldevice 200 may control one or more lighting control devices that areassociated with the artificial light (e.g., the dimmer switch 110)before controlling one or more lighting control devices that areassociated with the natural light (e.g., the motorized window treatment130), to adjust the ambient light intensity at the remote control device200. This may, for example, minimize daylight that enters a space.

In an illustrative example of using the lighting control system 100 ofFIG. 1, a user input that is indicative of a lighting preset (e.g., adesired light intensity) may be received at a remote control device 140of the lighting control system 100 (e.g., at the wireless communicationdevice 150 or the remote control device 170). In response to receipt ofthe user input, the remote control device 140 may measure the ambientlight intensity at the remote control device 140, and may compare themeasured ambient light intensity to the desired light intensity, forexample as described herein. If the measured ambient light intensitydisagrees with the desired light intensity, the remote control device140 may transmit one or more messages (e.g., including commands) to thedimmer switch 110, for instance directly or via a wireless router. Thedimmer switch 110 may adjust the intensity of the lighting load 114 inresponse to commands included in the messages, such that the dimmerswitch 110 controls the lighting load 114 in response to the inputreceived at the user interface of the remote control device 140.

In another illustrative example, the remote control device 200 may beimplemented in a smart television (e.g., a smart HDTV monitor). Thesmart television may include a light detector and a communicationcircuit (e.g., a wired and/or wireless communication circuit). The smarttelevision may be configured to transmit signals (e.g., RF signals) toone or more lighting control devices of an associated lighting controlsystem. The smart television may define a user interface that includesone or more buttons (e.g., soft buttons and/or physical buttons), forexample on the smart television and/or on a remote control device (e.g.,an infrared (IR) remote control device) that is associated with thesmart television, that are configured to receive inputs related to theremote control device 200. In an example, a user of the smart televisionmay use the remote control device to select a lighting preset fortelevision viewing. The remote control device may then cause the ambientlight intensity at the smart television and/or the remote control deviceto be adjusted until the ambient light intensity agrees with a desiredlight intensity that is associated with the lighting preset, for exampleas described herein. For instance, the smart television and/or theremote control device may include a light detector for measuring theambient light intensity at the smart television. Upon actuation, thesmart television and/or the remote control device may measure theambient light intensity, and may transmit command messages to one ormore lighting control devices of an associated lighting control systemto adjust the ambient light intensity.

Alternatively, the smart television and/or the remote control device maybe configured to transmit an ambient light intensity measurement toanother remote control device 200, such as a smart phone. The smartphone may be configured to receive the ambient light intensitymeasurement, and to transmit command messages to the one or morelighting control devices of the associated lighting control system toadjust the ambient light intensity. If neither of the smart televisionor the remote control device includes a light detector, a light detectorunit may be plugged into a port (e.g., an Ethernet port or an HDMI port)on the smart television and/or the remote control device. In an example,the plug-in light detector unit may be configured to transmit an ambientlight intensity measurement to the smart television. The smarttelevision may be configured to receive the ambient light intensitymeasurement, and to transmit command messages to the one or morelighting control devices of the associated lighting control system toadjust the ambient light intensity. Alternatively, the plug-in lightdetector unit may be configured to transmit command messages directly tothe one or more lighting control devices of the associated lightingcontrol system to adjust the ambient light intensity, bypassing thesmart television.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example process 300 that may be executed by aremote control device (e.g., the remote control device 200) that isassociated with a lighting control system, to control one or morelighting control devices of the lighting control system. For example,the remote control device 200 may be implemented as one or both of theremote control devices 140 (e.g., the wireless communication device 150and the remote control device 170) of the lighting control system 100shown in FIG. 1, to control the dimmer switch 110 and/or the motorizedwindow treatment 130 to adjust the ambient light intensity in a space(e.g., at the remote control device 200). The example process 300 may beexecuted, for example, by the control circuit 210 of the remote controldevice 200.

The process 300 may be actuated in response to receipt, at 310, of aninput (e.g., a user input) at the user interface 212 of the remotecontrol device 200. The user input may include, for example, a userselection of a lighting preset or a command to control one or morelighting control devices of an associated lighting control system. Theuser input received at the user interface 212 may include, for example,an activation of a soft button exhibited on the touch display 156, avoice command received at the microphone 158, or the operation of one ormore of the buttons 160 of the wireless communication device 150, or mayinclude the operation of one or more of the buttons 174-182 of theremote control device 170.

If, at 312, the received input is not the activation of a control thatcorresponds to a user selection of a lighting preset (e.g., a presetbutton), the control circuit 210 may transmit a command message that isnot associated with a lighting preset. For example, at 314, if the inputis the activation of a control that corresponds to an on command, thecontrol circuit 210 may, at 316, cause the wireless communicationcircuit 214 to transmit a command message to a lighting control devicethat corresponds to an on command, and the process 300 may thenterminate at 344. At 318, if the input is the activation of a controlthat corresponds to an off command, the control circuit 210 may, at 320,cause the wireless communication circuit 214 to transmit a commandmessage to a lighting control device that corresponds to an off command,and the process 300 may then terminate at 344. At 322, if the input isthe activation of a control that corresponds to a raise command, thecontrol circuit 210 may, at 324, cause the wireless communicationcircuit 214 to transmit a command message to a lighting control devicethat corresponds to a raise command, and the process 300 may thenterminate at 344. At 326, if the input is the activation of a controlthat corresponds to a lower command, the control circuit 210 may, at328, cause the wireless communication circuit 214 to transmit a commandmessage to a lighting control device that corresponds to a lowercommand, and the process 300 may then terminate at 344.

If, at 312, the received input is the activation of a control thatcorresponds to a user selection of a lighting preset (e.g., a presetbutton), the control circuit 210 may, at 330, retrieve (e.g., from thememory 220) information that corresponds to the lighting preset. Theinformation may include, for example, a desired light intensity that isassociated with the lighting preset. The desired light intensity may bereferred to as a preset light intensity, and may be designated asL_(PRE).

The control circuit 210 may, at 332, cause the light detection circuit216 to perform a measurement of an intensity of ambient light at theremote control device 200. The light detection circuit 216 may beconfigured to measure the light intensity at the remote control device200 using the light detector (e.g., the light detector 152 of thewireless communication device 150 or the light detector 172 of theremote control device 170), to produce a measured ambient lightintensity value. The measured ambient light intensity may be designatedas L_(MEAS).

The control circuit 210 may compare the measured ambient light intensityL_(MEAS) to the preset light intensity L_(PRE). The comparison may bemade in accordance with an acceptable range of light intensity aroundthe preset light intensity L_(PRE), the bounds of which may beassociated with the lighting preset, and may be configured, for example,by a user of the remote control device 200. In an example, theacceptable range of light intensity around the preset light intensityL_(PRE) may correspond to an offset value ΔL of light intensity. Theoffset value ΔL of light intensity may correspond to an acceptabledifference threshold between the measured ambient light intensityL_(MEAS) and the preset light intensity L_(PRE). The offset value ΔL oflight intensity may be a single value, such as a positive value or zero,which corresponds to both an upper bound and a lower bound of theacceptable range of light intensity around the preset light intensityL_(PRE). For example, the measured ambient light intensity L_(MEAS) maybe acceptable if it falls within a light intensity range defined by alower bound that corresponds to L_(PRE)−ΔL and an upper bound thatcorresponds to L_(PRE)+ΔL. If the measured ambient light intensityL_(MEAS) falls within such a range (e.g., if the measured ambient lightintensity agrees with the desired light intensity), the process 300 mayterminate at 344. The acceptable range of light intensity around thepreset light intensity L_(PRE) need not be bounded by a single lightintensity offset value ΔL. For example, alternatively, separate offsetvalues may be specified to correspond to respective upper and lowerbounds of the acceptable range of light intensity around the presetlight intensity L_(PRE).

At 334, if the measured ambient light intensity L_(MEAS) is less thanthe preset light intensity L_(PRE) minus the offset value ΔL (e.g., ifthe measured ambient light intensity disagrees with the desired lightintensity), the control circuit 210 may, at 336, cause the wirelesscommunication circuit 214 to transmit a command message to a lightingcontrol device that corresponds to a raise command. The control circuit210 may then, at 338, wait for a predetermined period of time. Thepredetermined period of time may be of sufficient duration to allow oneor more lighting control devices to adjust the ambient light intensityat the remote control device 200.

Upon expiration of the period of time, the control circuit 210 may,returning to 332, cause the light detection circuit 216 to perform ameasurement of the adjusted intensity of ambient light at the remotecontrol device 200. The control circuit 210 may then compare themeasured adjusted ambient light intensity L_(MEAS) to the preset lightintensity L_(PRE) in accordance with the light intensity offset valueΔL. If, returning to 334, the measured ambient light intensity L_(MEAS)is still less than the preset light intensity L_(PRE) minus the offsetvalue ΔL (e.g., L_(PRE)−ΔL), the control circuit 210 may, returning to336, cause the wireless communication circuit 214 to transmit anothercommand message to a lighting control device that corresponds to a raisecommand. The control circuit 210 may then again wait for thepredetermined period of time (returning to 338), cause the lightdetection circuit 216 to perform a measurement of the adjusted intensityof ambient light at the remote control device 200 (returning to 332),and compare the measured adjusted ambient light intensity L_(MEAS) toL_(PRE)−ΔL. The control circuit 210 may repeat this pattern ofmeasurement, comparison, adjustment, waiting, measurement, and so on,until the measured ambient light intensity L_(MEAS) falls within theacceptable range of light intensity around the preset light intensityL_(PRE). When L_(MEAS) falls within the acceptable range of lightintensity around the preset light intensity L_(PRE) (e.g., when L_(MEAS)is equal to L_(PRE)), such that the measured ambient light intensityagrees with the desired light intensity, the process 300 may terminateat 344.

At 340, if the measured ambient light intensity L_(MEAS) is greater thanthe preset light intensity L_(PRE) plus the offset value ΔL (e.g., ifthe measured ambient light intensity disagrees with the desired lightintensity), the control circuit 210 may, at 342, cause the wirelesscommunication circuit 214 to transmit a command message to a lightingcontrol device that corresponds to a lower command. The control circuit210 may then, at 338, wait for the predetermined period of time.

Upon expiration of the period of time, the control circuit 210 may,returning to 332, cause the light detection circuit 216 to perform ameasurement of the adjusted intensity of ambient light at the remotecontrol device 200. The control circuit 210 may then compare themeasured adjusted ambient light intensity L_(MEAS) to the preset lightintensity L_(PRE) in accordance with the light intensity offset valueΔL. If, returning to 340, the measured ambient light intensity L_(MEAS),is still greater than the preset light intensity L_(PRE) plus the offsetvalue ΔL (e.g., L_(PRE)+ΔL), the control circuit 210 may, returning to342, cause the wireless communication circuit 214 to transmit anothercommand message to a lighting control device that corresponds to a lowercommand. The control circuit 210 may then again wait for thepredetermined period of time (returning to 338), cause the lightdetection circuit 216 to perform a measurement of the adjusted intensityof ambient light at the remote control device 200 (returning to 332),and compare the measured adjusted ambient light intensity L_(MEAS) toL_(PRE)+ΔL. The control circuit 210 may repeat this pattern ofmeasurement, comparison, adjustment, waiting, measurement, and so on,until the measured ambient light intensity L_(MEAS) falls within theacceptable range of light intensity around the preset light intensityL_(PRE). When L_(MEAS) falls within the acceptable range of lightintensity around the preset light intensity L_(PRE) (e.g., when L_(MEAS)is equal to the L_(PRE)), such that the measured ambient light intensityagrees with the desired light intensity, the process 300 may terminateat 344.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate another example process 400 that may beexecuted by a remote control device (e.g., the remote control device200) that is associated with a lighting control system, to control oneor more lighting control devices of the lighting control system. Forexample, the remote control device 200 may be implemented as a remotecontrol device 140 (e.g., a wireless communication device 150, a remotecontrol device 170) in the lighting control system 100 shown in FIG. 1,to control the dimmer switch 110 and the motorized window treatment 130to adjust the ambient light intensity in a space (e.g., at the remotecontrol device 200). The example process 400 may be executed, forexample, by the control circuit 210 of the remote control device 200.The process 400 may be associated, for example, with a lighting presetfor which natural light is preferred over artificial light.

The process 400 may be actuated in response to receipt, at 410, of aninput (e.g., a user input) at the user interface 212 of the remotecontrol device 200. The user input may include, for example, a userselection of a lighting preset or a command to control one or morelighting control devices of an associated lighting control system. Theuser input received at the user interface 212 may include, for example,an activation of a soft button exhibited on the touch display 156, avoice command received at the microphone 158, or the operation of one ormore of the buttons 160 of the wireless communication device 150, or mayinclude the operation of one or more of the buttons 174-182 of theremote control device 170.

If, at 412, the received input is not the activation of a control thatcorresponds to a user selection of a lighting preset (e.g., a presetbutton), the control circuit 210 may transmit a command message that isnot associated with a lighting preset (e.g., as shown in FIG. 4B). Forexample, at 414, if the input is the activation of a control thatcorresponds to an on command, the control circuit 210 may, at 416, causethe wireless communication circuit 214 to transmit a command message toa lighting control device that corresponds to an on command, and theprocess 400 may then terminate at 454. At 418, if the input is theactivation of a control that corresponds to an off command, the controlcircuit 210 may, at 420, cause the wireless communication circuit 214 totransmit a command message to a lighting control device that correspondsto an off command, and the process 400 may then terminate at 454. At422, if the input is the activation of a control that corresponds to araise command, the control circuit 210 may, at 424, cause the wirelesscommunication circuit 214 to transmit a command message to a lightingcontrol device that corresponds to a raise command, and the process 400may then terminate at 454. At 426, if the input is the activation of acontrol that corresponds to a lower command, the control circuit 210may, at 428, cause the wireless communication circuit 214 to transmit acommand message to a lighting control device that corresponds to a lowercommand, and the process 400 may then terminate at 454.

If, at 412, the received input is the activation of a control thatcorresponds to a user selection of a lighting preset (e.g., a presetbutton), the control circuit 210 may optionally, at 430, cause thelocator circuit 222 to determine a current location of the remotecontrol device 200. Alternatively, the control circuit 210 may otherwisedetermine the current location of the remote control device 200, forexample using localization techniques as described herein. The controlcircuit 210 may use the current location of the remote control device200, for example, to identify one or more lighting control devices thatare within a predetermined proximity of the remote control device 200.In accordance with the example process 400, a dimmer switch (e.g., thedimmer switch 110) and a motorized window treatment (e.g., the motorizedwindow treatment 130) may be located within the proximity to the remotecontrol device 200. The control circuit 210 may, at 432, retrieve (e.g.,from the memory 220) information that corresponds to the lightingpreset. The information may include, for example, a desired lightintensity that is associated with the lighting preset. The desired lightintensity may be referred to as a preset light intensity, and may bedesignated as L_(PRE).

The control circuit 210 may, at 434, cause the light detection circuit216 to perform a measurement of an intensity of ambient light at theremote control device 200. The light detection circuit 216 may beconfigured to measure the light intensity at the remote control device200 using the light detector (e.g., the light detector 152 of thewireless communication device 150 or the light detector 172 of theremote control device 170), to produce a measured ambient lightintensity value. The measured ambient light intensity may be designatedas L_(MEAS).

The control circuit 210 may compare the measured ambient light intensityL_(MEAS) to the preset light intensity L_(PRE). The comparison may bemade in accordance with an acceptable range of light intensity aroundthe preset light intensity L_(PRE), the bounds of bounds of which may beassociated with the lighting preset, and may be configured, for example,by a user of the remote control device 200. In an example, theacceptable range of light intensity around the preset light intensityL_(PRE) may correspond to an offset value ΔL of light intensity. Theoffset value ΔL of light intensity may correspond to an acceptabledifference threshold between the measured ambient light intensityL_(MEAS) and the preset light intensity L_(PRE). The offset value ΔL oflight intensity may be a single value, such as a positive value or zero,which corresponds to both an upper bound and a lower bound of theacceptable range of light intensity around the preset light intensityL_(PRE). For example, the measured ambient light intensity L_(MEAS) maybe acceptable if it falls within a light intensity range defined by alower bound that corresponds to L_(PRE)−ΔL and an upper bound thatcorresponds to L_(PRE)+ΔL. If the measured ambient light intensityL_(MEAS) falls within such a range (e.g., if the measured ambient lightintensity agrees with the desired light intensity), the process 400 mayterminate at 454. The acceptable range of light intensity around thepreset light intensity L_(PRE) need not be bounded by a single lightintensity offset value ΔL. For example, alternatively, separate offsetvalues may be specified to correspond to respective upper and lowerbounds of the acceptable range of light intensity around the presetlight intensity L_(PRE).

At 436, if the measured ambient light intensity L_(MEAS) is less thanthe preset light intensity L_(PRE) minus the offset value ΔL (e.g., ifthe measured ambient light intensity disagrees with the desired lightintensity), the control circuit 210 may, at 438, determine whether thecovering material 132 of the motorized window treatment 130 ispositioned at an open limit stop (e.g., in the opened position). Forexample, the control circuit 210 may query the motorized windowtreatment 130 for a position of the covering material 132 (e.g., bycausing the wireless communication circuit 214 to transmit a querymessage to the motorized window treatment 130). The motorized windowtreatment 130 may, responsive to the query, transmit information thatrelates to a current position of the covering material 132 to thecontrol circuit 210. If the covering material 132 of the motorizedwindow treatment 130 is at an open limit stop, the control circuit 210may, at 440, cause the wireless communication circuit 214 to transmit acommand message to the dimmer switch 110 to raise the intensity of oneor more lighting loads controlled by the dimmer switch 110. If thecovering material 132 of the motorized window treatment 130 is not at anopen limit stop, the control circuit 210 may, at 442, cause the wirelesscommunication circuit 214 to transmit a command message to the motorizedwindow treatment 130 to raise the covering material (e.g., toward theopened position).

The control circuit 210 may then, at 444, wait for a predeterminedperiod of time. The predetermined period of time may be of sufficientduration to allow the dimmer switch 110 or the motorized windowtreatment 130 to adjust the ambient light intensity at the remotecontrol device 200. Upon expiration of the period of time, the controlcircuit 210 may, returning to 434, cause the light detection circuit 216to perform a measurement of the adjusted intensity of ambient light atthe remote control device 200. The control circuit 210 may then comparethe measured adjusted ambient light intensity L_(MEAS) to the presetlight intensity L_(PRE) in accordance with the light intensity offsetvalue ΔL. If, returning to 436, the measured ambient light intensityL_(MEAS) is still less than the preset light intensity L_(PRE) minus theoffset value ΔL (e.g., L_(PRE)−ΔL), the control circuit 210 may,returning to 438, determine whether the covering material 132 of themotorized window treatment 130 is positioned at an open limit stop(e.g., in the opened position). If the covering material 132 of themotorized window treatment 130 is at an open limit stop, the controlcircuit 210 may, at 440, cause the wireless communication circuit 214 totransmit a command message to the dimmer switch 110 to raise theintensity of one or more lighting loads controlled by the dimmer switch110. If the covering material 132 of the motorized window treatment 130is not at an open limit stop, the control circuit 210 may, at 442, causethe wireless communication circuit 214 to transmit a command message tothe motorized window treatment 130 to raise the covering material (e.g.,toward the opened position).

The control circuit 210 may then again wait for the predetermined periodof time (returning to 444), cause the light detection circuit 216 toperform a measurement of the adjusted intensity of ambient light at theremote control device 200 (returning to 434), and compare the measuredadjusted ambient light intensity L_(MEAS) to the preset light intensityL_(PRE). The control circuit 210 may repeat this pattern of measurement,comparison, adjustment, waiting, measurement, and so on, until themeasured ambient light intensity L_(MEAS) falls within the acceptablerange of light intensity around the preset light intensity L_(PRE). WhenL_(MEAS) falls within the acceptable range of light intensity around thepreset light intensity L_(PRE) (e.g., when L_(MEAS) is equal toL_(PRE)), such that the measured ambient light intensity agrees with thedesired light intensity, the process 400 may terminate at 454.

At 446, if the measured ambient light intensity L_(MEAS) is greater thanthe preset light intensity L_(PRE) plus the offset value ΔL (e.g., ifthe measured ambient light intensity disagrees with the desired lightintensity), the control circuit 210 may, at 448, determine whether oneor more lighting loads controlled by the dimmer switch 110 are atrespective lowest intensities (e.g., are off). For example, the controlcircuit 210 may query the dimmer switch 110 for respective intensitiesof the one or more lighting loads controlled by the dimmer switch 110(e.g., by causing the wireless communication circuit 214 to transmit aquery message to the dimmer switch 110). The dimmer switch 110 may,responsive to the query, transmit information that relates to respectiveintensities of the one or more lighting loads to the control circuit210. If one or more lighting loads controlled by the dimmer switch 110are not at respective lowest intensities, the control circuit 210 may,at 450, cause the wireless communication circuit 214 to transmit acommand message to the dimmer switch 110 to lower the intensity of oneor more lighting loads controlled by the dimmer switch 110. If the oneor more lighting loads controlled by the dimmer switch 110 are atrespective lowest intensities, the control circuit 210 may, at 452,cause the wireless communication circuit 214 to transmit a commandmessage to the motorized window treatment 130 to lower the coveringmaterial (e.g., toward the closed position).

The control circuit 210 may then, at 444, wait for the predeterminedperiod of time. Upon expiration of the period of time, the controlcircuit 210 may, returning to 434, cause the light detection circuit 216to perform a measurement of the adjusted intensity of ambient light atthe remote control device 200. The control circuit 210 may then comparethe measured adjusted ambient light intensity L_(MEAS) to the presetlight intensity L_(PRE). If, returning to 446, the measured ambientlight intensity L_(MEAS), is still greater than the preset lightintensity L_(PRE) plus the offset value ΔL (e.g., L_(PRE)+ΔL), thecontrol circuit 210 may, returning to 448, determine whether the one ormore lighting loads controlled by the dimmer switch 110 are atrespective lowest intensities. If one or more lighting loads controlledby the dimmer switch 110 are not at respective lowest intensities, thecontrol circuit 210 may, at 450, cause the wireless communicationcircuit 214 to transmit a command message to the dimmer switch 110 tolower the intensity of one or more lighting loads controlled by thedimmer switch 110. If the one or more lighting loads controlled by thedimmer switch 110 are at respective lowest intensities, the controlcircuit 210 may, at 452, cause the wireless communication circuit 214 totransmit a command message to the motorized window treatment 130 tolower the covering material (e.g., toward the closed position).

The control circuit 210 may then again wait for the predetermined periodof time (returning to 444), cause the light detection circuit 216 toperform a measurement of the adjusted intensity of ambient light at theremote control device 200 (returning to 434), and compare the measuredadjusted ambient light intensity L_(MEAS) to the preset light intensityL_(PRE). The control circuit 210 may repeat this pattern of measurement,comparison, adjustment, waiting, measurement, and so on, until themeasured ambient light intensity L_(MEAS) falls within the acceptablerange of light intensity around the preset light intensity L_(PRE). WhenL_(MEAS) falls within the acceptable range of light intensity around thepreset light intensity L_(PRE) (e.g., when L_(MEAS) is equal toL_(PRE)), such that the measured ambient light intensity agrees with thedesired light intensity, the process 400 may terminate at 454.

The process 400 may be modified to be associated with a lighting presetfor which artificial light is preferred over natural light. For example,the control circuit 210 may be alternatively configured to, at 438,determine whether one or more lighting loads controlled by the dimmerswitch 110 are at respective highest intensities (e.g., are at fullintensity). For example, the control circuit 210 may query the dimmerswitch 110 for respective intensities of the one or more lighting loads,and the dimmer switch 110 may respond to the query by transmittinginformation that relates to respective intensities of the one or morelighting loads to the control circuit 210. If the one or more lightingloads controlled by the dimmer switch 110 are at respective highestintensities, the control circuit 210 may, at 440, cause the wirelesscommunication circuit 214 to transmit a command message to the motorizedwindow treatment 130 to raise the covering material 132 (e.g., towardthe opened position). If the one or more lighting loads controlled bythe dimmer switch 110 are not at respective highest intensities, thecontrol circuit 210 may, at 442, cause the wireless communicationcircuit 214 to transmit a command message to the dimmer switch 110 toraise the intensity of one or more lighting loads. The control circuit210 may further be alternatively configured to, at 446, determinewhether the covering material 132 of the motorized window treatment 130is positioned at a closed limit stop (e.g., in the closed position). Ifthe covering material 132 of the motorized window treatment 130 is notat a closed limit stop, the control circuit 210 may, at 450, cause thewireless communication circuit 214 to transmit a command message to themotorized window treatment 130 to lower the covering material 132 (e.g.,toward the closed position). If the covering material 132 of themotorized window treatment 130 is at a closed limit stop, the controlcircuit 210 may, at 452, cause the wireless communication circuit 214 totransmit a command message to the dimmer switch 110 to lower theintensity of one or more lighting loads controlled by the dimmer switch110.

It should be appreciated that the example processes 300 and 400 are notlimited to the illustrated operations, and that the example processes300 and/or 400 may be modified, for instance by adding and/or omittingoperations. To illustrate, the example process 300 may be modified toinclude a device location determination operation, such as the devicelocation determination operation carried out at 430 in accordance withthe example process 400.

The remote control device 200 may be configured to collaborate with oneor more other components of an associated lighting control system incontrolling the ambient light intensity in a space (e.g., at the remotecontrol device 200). Referring again to FIG. 1, it should be appreciatedthat the lighting control system 100 is not limited to the illustratedcomponents. For example, the lighting control system 100 may furtherinclude one or more (e.g., a plurality) of daylight sensors that may bepositioned to detect whether the artificial light intensity or thenatural light intensity is greater in a space. To illustrate, thelighting control system 100 may further include a first daylight sensorthat is positioned (e.g., mounted) to measure the light intensity of thelighting load 114, and a second daylight sensor that is positioned(e.g., mounted) to measure the light intensity of natural light (e.g.,daylight) entering the space. An associated remote control device 200(e.g., one or both of the wireless communications device 150 and theremote control device 170) may be configured to determine which of theartificial light intensity or the natural light intensity is greater,for example by comparing the respective light intensities measured bythe first and second daylight sensors.

The lighting control system 100 may include other types of load controldevices, for example in addition to or in lieu of the dimmer switch 110and/or the motorized window treatment 130. For example, the lightingcontrol system 100 may further include one or more of, for example: adimming ballast for driving a gas-discharge lamp; a light-emitting diode(LED) driver for driving an LED light source; a dimming circuit forcontrolling the intensity of a lighting load; a screw-in luminaireincluding a dimmer circuit and an incandescent or halogen lamp; ascrew-in luminaire including a ballast and a compact fluorescent lamp; ascrew-in luminaire including an LED driver and an LED light source; anelectronic switch, controllable circuit breaker, or other switchingdevice for turning an appliance on and off; a plug-in load controldevice, controllable electrical receptacle, or controllable power stripfor controlling one or more plug-in loads; a motor control unit forcontrolling a motor load, such as a ceiling fan or an exhaust fan; adrive unit for controlling a motorized window treatment or a projectionscreen; one or more motorized interior or exterior shutters; athermostat for a heating and/or cooling system; a temperature controldevice for controlling a setpoint temperature of an HVAC system; an airconditioner; a compressor; an electric baseboard heater controller; acontrollable damper; a variable air volume controller; a fresh airintake controller; a ventilation controller; a hydraulic valves for useradiators and radiant heating system; a humidity control unit; ahumidifier; a dehumidifier; a water heater; a boiler controller; a poolpump; a refrigerator; a freezer; a television or computer monitor; avideo camera; an audio system or amplifier; an elevator; a power supply;a generator; an electric charger, such as an electric vehicle charger;and an alternative energy controller.

The lighting control system 100 may include other types of inputdevices, for example in addition to or in lieu of the wirelesscommunications device 150 and/or the remote control device 170. Forexample, the lighting control system 100 may further include, forexample, one or more occupancy sensors, vacancy sensors, daylightsensors, radiometers, cloudy day sensors, temperature sensors, humiditysensors, pressure sensors, smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors,air-quality sensors, motion sensors, security sensors, proximitysensors, fixture sensors, partition sensors, keypads, battery poweredremote controls, kinetic or solar-powered remote controls, key fobs,cell phones, smart phones, tablets, personal digital assistants,personal computers, laptops, timeclocks, audio-visual controls, safetydevices, power monitoring devices (e.g., power meters, energy meters,utility submeters, utility rate meters, or the like), central controltransmitters, residential, commercial, or industrial controllers, or anycombination of these or other input devices.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A lighting control system comprising: afirst lighting control device configured to control a source ofartificial light in a space; a second lighting control device that isconfigured to control an amount of natural light that enters the space;and a remote control device associated with the first and secondlighting control devices, the remote control device comprising: a lightdetector configured to measure a light intensity of ambient light in thespace; and a control circuit operably connected to the light detector,wherein the control circuit is configured to: receive a light intensitymeasurement of the ambient light in the space from the light detector;analyze a spectral content of the ambient light based on the receivedambient light intensity measurement; in response to analyzing thespectral content, determine whether an artificial light intensity or anatural light intensity is greater in the space; and based on thedetermination, control at least one of the first or the second lightingcontrol devices to adjust the ambient light intensity measured by thelight detector of the remote control device.
 2. The lighting controlsystem of claim 1, wherein to control the at least one of the first orthe second lighting control devices comprises to: compare the receivedlight intensity measurement with a preset light intensity; determine,based on the comparison, whether the received light intensitymeasurement agrees with the preset light intensity; and control thefirst lighting control device to adjust the light intensity in the spaceuntil an adjustment limit of the first lighting control device isreached when the received light intensity measurement disagrees with thepreset light intensity.
 3. The lighting control system of claim 2,wherein the received light intensity measurement agrees with the presetlight intensity when the received light intensity measurement is withina threshold of the preset light intensity.
 4. The lighting controlsystem of claim 3, wherein to control the at least one of the first orthe second lighting control devices further comprises to control thesecond lighting control device to further adjust the light intensity inthe space when the light intensity in the space resulting from controlof the first lighting control device disagrees with the preset lightintensity and the adjustment limit of the first lighting control deviceis reached, such that the light intensity in the space resulting fromcontrol of the second lighting control device agrees with the presetlight intensity.
 5. The lighting control system of claim 2, wherein thecontrol circuit is further configured to: determine that the remotecontrol device has been moved from a first location to a secondlocation; receive a second light intensity measurement of ambient lightat the second location; determine that the second light intensitymeasurement disagrees with a desired light intensity; and transmit to athird lighting control device, based on the second location, a commandto adjust a light intensity measured by the remote control device at thesecond location until the light intensity measured by the remote controldevice at the second location agrees with the desired light intensity.6. The lighting control system of claim 2, wherein the received lightintensity measurement disagrees with the preset light intensity when thereceived light intensity measurement is outside a threshold of thepreset light intensity.
 7. The lighting control system of claim 1,wherein to control the at least one of the first or the second lightingcontrol devices further comprises to control at least one of the firstlighting control device or the second lighting control device to adjustthe light intensity in the space to maximize the amount of natural lightin the space.
 8. The lighting control system of claim 1, wherein tocontrol the at least one of the first or the second lighting controldevices further comprises to control the first lighting control deviceto adjust the artificial light intensity in the space in response to thedetermination that the artificial light intensity is greater than thenatural light intensity.
 9. The lighting control system of claim 1,wherein to control the at least one of the first or the second lightingcontrol devices comprises to control the second lighting control deviceto adjust the natural light intensity in the space in response to thedetermination that the natural light intensity is greater than theartificial light intensity.
 10. The lighting control system of claim 1,wherein the first lighting control device comprises a dimmer switch andthe second lighting control device comprises a motorized windowtreatment.
 11. The lighting control system of claim 1, wherein tocontrol the at least one of the first or the second lighting controldevices comprises to cause at least one of the first lighting controldevice or the second lighting control device to adjust a ratio of theartificial light intensity to the natural light intensity within thespace.
 12. The lighting control system of claim 11, wherein the controlcircuit of the remote control device is further configured toprioritize, based on a user preference, use of the first lightingcontrol device over use of the second lighting control device, whenadjusting the light intensity in the space.
 13. The lighting controlsystem of claim 1, wherein the light detector comprises a camera.
 14. Amethod of controlling light intensity in a space, the method comprising:receiving, at a remote control device, a light intensity measurement ofambient light from a light detector; analyzing, via a control circuit ofthe remote control device, a spectral content of the received lightintensity measurement; determining, by the control circuit of the remotecontrol device, in response to analyzing the spectral content, whetheran artificial light intensity or a natural light intensity is greater inthe space; and controlling, based on the determination, at least one ofa first lighting control device or a second lighting control device toadjust the light intensity of ambient light in the space measured by thelight detector of the remote control device.
 15. The method of claim 14,further comprising controlling at least one of the first lightingcontrol device or the second lighting control device to adjust a ratioof artificial light intensity to natural light intensity within thespace.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein controlling the least one ofa first lighting control device or a second lighting control devicefurther comprises prioritizing, based on a user preference, using thefirst lighting control device over using the second lighting controldevice, when to adjust the light intensity in the space.
 17. The methodof claim 15, wherein controlling the at least one of a first lightingcontrol device or a second lighting control device further comprisescontrolling, by the remote control device, the at least one of the firstlighting control device or the second lighting control device to adjustthe light intensity in the space to maximize an amount of natural lightin the space.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the first lightingcontrol device is a dimmer switch and the second lighting control deviceis a motorized window treatment.
 19. The method of claim 14, furthercomprising: determining, via the remote control device, that the remotecontrol device has been moved from a first location to a secondlocation; measuring, via the remote control device, a second lightintensity measurement of ambient light at the second location; andtransmitting to a third lighting control device, based on the secondlocation, one or more commands to adjust the light intensity ambientlight at the second location measured by the remote control device untilthe light intensity of ambient light at the second location measured bythe remote control device agrees with a desired light intensity.